Business partner Mandala Apparels aims to create over 5,000 new jobs for female farmers in organic cotton and in the production of its Fair Trade children’s and women’s wear in the next five years. Women on Wings is happy to support in this target by providing business consultancy to the team of Mandala.
Setting timelines for more sales
Social venture Mandala and Women on Wings partner since August this year. Recently, Tanveen Ratti, consultant for Women on Wings and Ellen Oord, expert for Women on Wings, worked with the management of Mandala on its growth plans in Pondicherry, southeast India. Tanveen: “The products are great, but a clear marketing plan was lacking. We worked on the marketing and branding strategy; for instance we set timelines for the year, especially in view of the merchandising & marketing team.”
Starting a journey with a difference
Anjali Schiavina, Founder and CEO of Mandala: “I started Mandala Apparels to bring about a positive difference in the fashion industry in India and at the same time bring employment for the people in Pondicherry. We started with just one vegetable dyeing unit, one tailor, one pattern master and 8 handloom weavers from the local community.”
Organic cotton brings growth and prosperity
Mandala’s vision had to evolve to bring about a positive difference in lives of people it involves, the communities it engages with and the environment it stems from. With this renewed vision, Mandala decided to source only organic cotton from farmers, primarily women. It became a Fair Trade certified manufacturer, growing to a 150 unit and a 165 employee social venture exporting to several countries by 2009. Today, Mandala boasts of presence globally while locally it continues to promote fair wages and develop its workers’ communities in areas of healthcare and education.
Doing business and creating social impact
Mandala, signifying radial balance in the form of a cosmic circle, represents the social enterprise in which they work towards integrating all facets of the industry, from sourcing to manufacturing, by creating equilibrated and harmonious relationships. Mandala aims to keep evolving and transforming the impacts on society, economy and ecology allied to the apparel industry.
